| English Standard Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. | 1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom. |
| 2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. | 2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions. |
| 3When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. | 3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonor, derision. |
| 4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. | 4The words of a person's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom. |
| 5It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. | 5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice. |
| 6A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. | 6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating. |
| 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. | 7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life. |
| 8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. | 8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. |
| 9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. | 9The one who is lazy in his work is brother to a vandal. |
| 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. | 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. |
| 11A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. | 11The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. |
| 12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. | 12Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 13If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. | 13The one who gives an answer before he listens--this is foolishness and disgrace for him. |
| 14A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? | 14A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? |
| 15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. | 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. |
| 16A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. | 16A person's gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great. |
| 17The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. | 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. |
| 18The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. | 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents. |
| 19A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. | 19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress. |
| 20From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. | 20From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips. |
| 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. | 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. |
| 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | 22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. |
| 23The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. | 23The poor person pleads, but the rich one answers roughly. |
| 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | 24One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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